Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: RobbyS

That is incorrect. Whatever God speaks has authority, whether man affirm it as God’s word or not. Those who effectually recognize and believes it as such, like Abraham, receive the positive promises; those who reject it evidence that they love darkness over light, and will realize the negative consequences of so doing.

Abraham believed God, and righteousness was imputed to him (Gn. 15:6) and of such virile faith a nation was born. Thru that nation more authoritative revelation was given - authoritative because it came from God - and was written.

And as it was from God its quality and power resulted in it being recognized as such, often due in part to the overt supernatural Divine attestation that accompanied it, as with Moses, as well its enduring power among them that believed it (Ps. 19; 119), and by its confirmation by those whom God manifestly raised up and who referenced it, such as the prophets. And through such God typically added more revelation (search “the word of the Lord”).

That books were recognized as Scripture even in Christ’s time is internally manifest, (Lk. 24:44; Jn. 5:39) even if later evidence shows the Hebrew canon was not formally settled among all Jews, but from the beginning the recognition of what was was God’s word and Scripture (i am aware the former could exist apart from the latter, though not in contradiction to it) was not essentially due to the formal decree of committees, however helpful, but by its manifest power that attended its proclamation, and was realized by obedience to it. Man may ratify what is on a best-sellers list, but its quality is what is responsible for a classic.

While a book may endure for a time, and compulsory reading or inclusion may keep it in wide circulation (which i think relates to the apocrypha), the true test of its quality is when it continues to be in demand over time, even when censored, as well as by its manifest truthfulness and effect on its readers, and thus it has been with the Bible more than any other book in its class. And just as no other personage in history besides Jesus has had so many songs written in praise of him by a free people, so i think the devotion given to the Bible is unique in degree and scope, as it uniquely manifest the power to quicken one to heart-changing regeneration - even in a desert - and to feed the hungry souls, and manifest the fruits of righteousness.


103 posted on 01/03/2010 5:36:01 PM PST by daniel1212 (and there is no new thing under the sun. Eccl. 4:9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies ]


To: daniel1212

Indeed, God speaks with authority, but he always does so though messengers. You seem to be claiming to be a messenger. I have no reason to think you are.


104 posted on 01/03/2010 11:10:18 PM PST by RobbyS (Pray with the suffering souls.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson